An electrically controlled quantum dot based spin current injector

Nanoscale. 2012 Jun 21;4(12):3635-9. doi: 10.1039/c2nr30399j. Epub 2012 May 15.

Abstract

We present a proposal for a fully electrically controllable quantum dot based spin current injector. The device consists of a quantum dot that is strongly coupled to a ferromagnetic electrode on one side and weakly coupled to a nonmagnetic electrode on the other side. The presence of the ferromagnetic electrode results in an exchange field that splits the dot level. We show that this exchange-induced splitting can lead to almost full spin polarization of the current flowing through the device. Moreover, we also demonstrate that the sign of polarization can be changed by the gate or the bias voltage within a switching time in the nanosecond range. Thus, the proposed device can operate as an electrically controlled, rapidly switchable spin current source, which can be realized in various state-of-the-art nanostructures.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't